Child restraint spin lock and a safety seat having the same

ABSTRACT

A child restraint spin lock is adapted to be installed in a safety seat that includes a base member and a mid base being rotatable relative to the base member about an axis. The child restraint spin lock includes two locking components and a pivot component. The locking components are adapted to be co-rotatably connected to the mid base, are spaced apart from each other, and are adapted to be movable relative to the base member between a locked position and an unlocked position. The pivot component is adapted to be rotatable relative to the mid base about the axis, and is pivotally connected between the locking components such that movements of the locking components are synchronized by rotation of the pivot component.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION

This application claims priority of U.S. Provisional Patent ApplicationNo. 62/947,239, filed on Dec. 12, 2019.

FIELD

The disclosure relates to a child safety seat, and more particularly toa child restraint spin lock for use with a safety seat of a vehicle.

BACKGROUND

Many conventional child restraint systems in the market come withchild's seats that are rotatable while being installed in a vehicle forenhanced functionality. Such conventional child restraint systemsusually include spin lock mechanisms to position the seats in a rearfacing position or a forward facing position. However, the spin lockmechanisms used in the conventional child restraint systems have beenfound to be overly complex and may lack adequate spin lock retention inthe event of a vehicle crash.

SUMMARY

Therefore, the object of the disclosure is to provide a child restraintspin lock and a safety seat having the same that allow for ease of use,and that provide improved retention in the event of a vehicle crash.

According to one aspect of the disclosure, a child restraint spin lockis adapted to be installed in a safety seat of a vehicle. The safetyseat includes a base member that has two lock sections being spacedapart from each other, and a mid base that is mounted to the base memberand that is rotatable relative to the base member about an axis.

The child restraint spin lock includes two locking components and apivot component.

The locking components are adapted to be co-rotatably connected to themid base, and are spaced apart from each other. Each of the lockingcomponents has a first end portion and a second end portion that arerespectively proximate to and distal from the axis. Each of the lockingcomponents is adapted to be movable relative to the base member betweena locked position, where the second end portion of each of the lockingcomponents is adapted to be engaged with a respective one of the locksections of the base member such that the mid base is not allowed torotate relative to the base member, and an unlocked position, where thesecond end portion of each of the locking components is adapted to bedisengaged from the respective one of the lock sections of the basemember.

The pivot component is adapted to be connected to the mid base, isrotatable relative to the mid base about the axis, and has two endsegments. Each of the end segments is pivotally connected to the firstend portion of a respective one of the locking components such thatmovements of the locking components from the locked position to theunlocked position are synchronized by rotation of the pivot componentabout the axis.

According to another aspect of the disclosure, a safety seat includes aseat unit and the child restraint spin lock mentioned above.

The seat unit includes a base member, a mid base and a seat member. Thebase member has two first lock sections that are spaced apart from eachother. The mid base is mounted to the base member and is rotatablerelative to the base member about an axis. The seat member is mountedatop the mid base and is co-rotatable with the mid base about the axis.The above-mentioned child restraint spin lock is installed in the seatunit.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Other features and advantages of the disclosure will become apparent inthe following detailed description of the embodiment with reference tothe accompanying drawings, of which:

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of an embodiment of a safety seat accordingto the disclosure;

FIG. 2 is a fragmentary perspective view of a mid base and a base memberof the embodiment;

FIG. 3 is a fragmentary cutaway perspective view of the embodiment,illustrating two locking components of a child restraint spin lock at alocked position;

FIG. 4 is another fragmentary cutaway view of the embodiment,illustrating the locking components of the child restraint spin lock atan unlocked position; and

FIG. 5 is another fragmentary cutaway perspective view of theembodiment, illustrating the locking components of the child restraintspin lock at the locked position.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Referring to FIGS. 1, 2 and 3, an embodiment of a safety seat of avehicle (not shown) includes a child restraint spin lock 1 and a seatunit 2. The seat unit 2 includes a base member 21, a mid base 22 and aseat member 23.

The mid base 22 is mounted to the base member 21, and is rotatablerelative to the base member 21 about an axis (X). The base member 21 hastwo first lock sections 211 (see FIG. 5) that are spaced apart from eachother, and two second lock sections 211′ that are spaced apart from eachother. In this embodiment, the first lock sections 211 are respectivelydisposed on opposite sides of the axis (X), the second lock sections211′ are respectively disposed on opposite sides of the axis (X), andthe first and second lock sections 211, 211′ are alternately arranged.That is, the first lock sections 211 (or second lock sections 211′)define an angle of 180 degrees with the axis (X) serving as the vertexof the angle. In the present embodiment, the first and second locksections 211, 211′ are configured as slots.

It should be noted that, the first and second lock sections 211, 211′are not limited to the above configurations. For example, in anotherembodiment of the disclosure, the first or second lock sections 211,211′ may be disposed in a manner that they define an angle of 90degrees.

The seat member 23 is mounted atop the mid base 22, is co-rotatable withthe mid base 22 about the axis (X), and includes an operating component231 that is exposed to the external environment, and that serves as amanual actuator for the child restraint spin lock 1. It should be notedthat, the operating component 231 is not limited to the presentconfiguration. For example, in other embodiments of the disclosure, theoperating component 231 may be mounted to the base member 21 instead ofthe seat member 23.

Referring further to FIGS. 4 and 5, the child restraint spin lock 1 isinstalled in the seat unit 2 between the base member 21 and the mid base22 of the seat unit 2, and includes two locking components 11, a pivotcomponent 12, two resilient members 13, a linking member 14 and aconnecting pin 15.

The locking components 11 of the child restraint spin lock 1 areco-rotatably connected to the mid base 22, are spaced apart from eachother. In this embodiment, the locking components 11 are respectivelydisposed on opposite sides of the axis (X).

Each of the locking components 11 has a first end portion 111 and asecond end portion 112 that are respectively proximate to and distalfrom the axis (X), and is movable relative to the base member 21 betweena locked position (see FIG. 3) and an unlocked position (see FIG. 4). Itshould be noted that, FIGS. 3 and 4 only show the locked and unlockedpositions of the locking components 11 with respect to the first locksections 211 of the base member 21; the locked and unlocked positionswith respect to the second lock sections 211′ are not shown in thefigures but can be inferred therefrom.

When each of the locking components 11 is at the locked position, thesecond end portion 112 of each of the locking components 11 is engagedwith (i.e. received in) a respective one of the first lock sections 211of the base member 21, such that the mid base 22 is not allowed torotate relative to the base member 21.

Conversely, when each of the locking components 11 is at the unlockedposition, the second end portion 112 of each of the locking components11 is disengaged from the respective one of the first lock sections 211of the base member 21 so that the mid base 22 can be rotated relative tothe base member 21, thereby driving rotation of the seat member 23.

It should be noted that, when the locking components 11 are engaged withthe first lock sections 211 of the base member 21 as shown in FIG. 3,the seat member 23 is secured at, for example, a forward facing position(see FIG. 1). And since the first lock sections 211 are disposed onopposite sides of the axis (X) in the present embodiment, when thelocking components 11 are operated to the unlocked position and the seatmember 23 is rotated to a rear facing position (not shown) that is 180degrees from the forward facing position, the locking components 11 willstill be engageable with the first lock sections 211 of the base member21 to secure the seat member 23 at the rear facing position.

Similarly, since the second lock sections 211′ are disposed on oppositesides of the axis (X) in the present embodiment, when the lockingcomponents 11 are engaged with the second lock sections 211′ of the basemember 21, the seat member 23 is at one of two intermediate positions(not shown) which are 180 degrees different from each other.

It should also be noted that, the locking components 11 are not limitedto be disposed on opposite sides of the axis (X). For example, inanother embodiment of the disclosure, the locking components 11 may beperpendicular to each other and be arranged in an L-shape, and asmentioned above, the first lock sections 211 (or the second locksections 211′) may be configured in a manner that they define an angleof 90 degrees, such that they can be engaged respectively with thelocking components 11 arranged in an L-shape.

The pivot component 12 is connected to the mid base 22, is rotatablerelative to the mid base 22 about the axis (X), and has two end segments121. In the present embodiment, the end segments 121 of the pivotcomponent 12 are respectively disposed on opposite sides of the axis(X), but are not limited thereto.

Each of the end segments 121 is pivotally connected to the first endportion 111 of a respective one of the locking components 11 such thatmovements of the locking components 11 from the locked position to theunlocked position are synchronized by rotation of the pivot component 12about the axis (X).

As shown in FIG. 5, each of the resilient members 13 is mounted betweenthe mid base 22 and a respective one of the locking components 11.Specifically, each of the resilient members 13 has one end that abutsagainst the respective one of the locking components 11, and the otherend that abuts against the mid base for biasing the respective one ofthe locking components 11 toward the locked position.

It should be noted that, in other embodiments of the disclosure, thechild restraint spin lock 1 may include only one resilient member 13that is mounted to one of the locking components 11. Since the movementsof the locking components 11 are synchronized by the pivot component 12,such configuration will provide the same functionality.

The connecting pin 15 is mounted to one of the locking components 11.The linking member 14 is connected to the one of the locking components11 via the connecting pin 15, and is operable for driving movement ofthe one of the locking components 11 from the locked position to theunlocked position to result in synchronous movement of the other one ofthe locking components 11 via the rotation of the pivot component 12about the axis (X). The linking member 14 is further connected to theoperating component 231 of the seat member 23 such that a user maymanually actuate the operation of the linking member 14 via theoperating component 231.

In the present embodiment, the child restraint spin lock 1 includes onlyone linking member 14 that is configured as a flexible cable. However,in another embodiment of the disclosure, the child restraint spin lock 1may include two linking members 14 that are connected to opposite endsof the connecting pin 15, and the linking members 14 may be configuredas rigid links.

During operation of the child restraint spin lock 1, in the event thatthe seat member 23 is originally positioned in the forward facingposition where the locking components 11 are engaged with the first locksections 211 of the base member 12, a user may interact with theoperating component 231 to actuate the linking member 14 to move thelocking components 11.

When the locking components 11 are moved to the unlocked position withthe second end portions 112 being respectively disengaged from the firstlock sections 211 of the base member 21, the user is allowed to rotatethe seat member 23 (and to co-rotate the mid base 22) to changeorientation of the seat member 23. When the seat member 23 is rotated toone of the intermediate positions, the locking components 11 areoperable to engage the second end portions 112 respectively with thesecond lock sections 211′ for positioning the mid base 22 relative tothe base member 21 (or to the rear facing position, where the lockingcomponents 11 are operable to engage the second end portions 112respectively with the first lock sections 211 again).

It should be noted that, by virtue of the disposition of the resilientmember 13, the user does not need to interact with the operatingcomponent 231 to move the locking components 11 from the unlockedposition to the locked position. Once the seat member 23 is rotated toany of the rear facing, forward facing and intermediate positions, theresilient member 13 will automatically push the locking components 11 tobe engaged with the corresponding first or second lock sections 211,211′. The above-mentioned process is applicable in rotating the seatmember 23 from any of the rear facing, forward facing and intermediatepositions to another.

It should also be noted that, in the present embodiment, a total numberof the first and second lock sections 211, 211′ is four. However, thisnumber may vary in other embodiments of the disclosure to provide theuser more options for positioning the seat member 23, depending onactual needs.

In sum, the present embodiment of the disclosure has advantages asfollows.

By virtue of the disposition of the pivot component 12, the movements ofthe locking components 11 are synchronized in a straightforward fashionvia two pivotal connections among the locking components 11 and thepivot component 12, without involving overly complex mechanisms. Suchconfiguration requires less maintenance than that of the prior arts.

Also, compared with a single lock mechanism, the oppositely disposedlocking components 11 are able to provide better retention, and are lesssusceptible to disengagement by crash forces.

Moreover, the present embodiment provides the user the options toposition the seat member 23 indifferent orientations for different needsand circumstances.

In the description above, for the purposes of explanation, numerousspecific details have been set forth in order to provide a thoroughunderstanding of the embodiment. It will be apparent, however, to oneskilled in the art, that one or more other embodiments may be practicedwithout some of these specific details. It should also be appreciatedthat reference throughout this specification to “one embodiment,” “anembodiment,” an embodiment with an indication of an ordinal number andso forth means that a particular feature, structure, or characteristicmay be included in the practice of the disclosure. It should be furtherappreciated that in the description, various features are sometimesgrouped together in a single embodiment, figure, or description thereoffor the purpose of streamlining the disclosure and aiding in theunderstanding of various inventive aspects, and that one or morefeatures or specific details from one embodiment may be practicedtogether with one or more features or specific details from anotherembodiment, where appropriate, in the practice of the disclosure.

While the disclosure has been described in connection with what isconsidered the exemplary embodiment, it is understood that thisdisclosure is not limited to the disclosed embodiment but is intended tocover various arrangements included within the spirit and scope of thebroadest interpretation so as to encompass all such modifications andequivalent arrangements.

What is claimed is:
 1. A child restraint spin lock adapted to beinstalled in a safety seat of a vehicle, the safety seat including abasemember that has two spaced-apart lock sections, and a mid base that ismounted to the base member and that is rotatable relative to the basemember about an axis, said child restraint spin lock comprising: twolocking components adapted to be co-rotatably connected to the mid base,and being spaced apart from each other, each of said locking componentshaving a first end portion and a second end portion that arerespectively proximate to and distal from the axis, each of said lockingcomponents being adapted to be movable relative to the base memberbetween a locked position, where said second end portion of each of saidlocking components is adapted to be engaged with a respective one of thelock sections of the base member such that the mid base is not allowedto rotate relative to the base member, and an unlocked position, wheresaid second end portion of each of said locking components is adapted tobe disengaged from the respective one of the lock sections of the basemember; and a pivot component adapted to be connected to the mid base,being rotatable relative to the mid base about the axis, and having twoend segments, each of said end segments being pivotally connected tosaid first end portion of a respective one of said locking componentssuch that movements of said locking components from the locked positionto the unlocked position are synchronized by rotation of said pivotcomponent about the axis.
 2. The child restraint spin lock as claimed inclaim 1, further comprising at least one resilient member that ismounted between the mid base and said locking components for biasingsaid locking components toward the locked position.
 3. The childrestraint spin lock as claimed in claim 2, wherein said at least oneresilient member includes two resilient members, each of said resilientmembers having one end that abuts against a respective one of saidlocking components, and the other end that is adapted to abut againstthe mid base for biasing the respective one of said locking componentstoward the locked position.
 4. The child restraint spin lock as claimedin claim 1, further comprising at least one linking member connected toone of said locking components, and being operable for driving movementof said one of said locking components from the locked position to theunlocked position to result in synchronous movement of the other one ofsaid locking components via said rotation of said pivot component aboutthe axis.
 5. The child restraint spin lock as claimed in claim 1,wherein said at least one linking member is configured as a flexiblecable.
 6. A safety seat comprising: a seat unit including a base memberthat has two first lock sections being spaced apart from each other, amid base that is mounted to said base member and that is rotatablerelative to said base member about an axis, and a seat member that ismounted atop said mid base and that is co-rotatable with said mid baseabout the axis; and said child restraint spin lock as claimed in claim 1being installed in the seat unit.
 7. The safety seat as claimed in claim6, wherein said child restraint spin lock further includes at least oneresilient members that is mounted between said mid base and said lockingcomponents for biasing said locking components toward the lockedposition.
 8. The child restraint spin lock as claimed in claim 7,wherein said at least one resilient member includes two resilientmembers, each of said resilient members having one end that abutsagainst a respective one of said locking components, and the other endthat abuts against said mid base for biasing the respective one of saidlocking components toward the locked position.
 9. The safety seat asclaimed in claim 6, wherein said child restraint spin lock furtherincludes at least one linking member connected to one of said lockingcomponents, and being operable for driving movement of said one of saidlocking components from the locked position to the unlocked position toresult in synchronous movement of the other one of said lockingcomponents via said rotation of said pivot component about the axis. 10.The safety seat as claimed in claim 9, wherein said seat member includesan operating component that is connected to said at least one linkingmember, that is exposed to the external environment, and that serves asa manual actuator for actuating operation of said at least one linkingmember.
 11. The safety seat as claimed in claim 6, wherein said at leastone linking member is configured as a flexible cable.
 12. The childrestraint spin lock as claimed in claim 6, wherein: said first locksections of said base member are respectively disposed on opposite sidesof the axis; said locking components are respectively disposed onopposite sides of the axis; and said end segments of said pivotcomponent are respectively disposed on opposite sides of the axis. 13.The safety seat as claimed in claim 6, wherein: said first lock sectionsof said base member are configured as slots; and when said lockingcomponents are at the locked position, said second end portion of eachof said locking components is received in a respective one of said firstlock sections of said base member.
 14. The safety seat as claimed inclaim 6, wherein: said base member further has two second lock sectionsthat are spaced apart from each other; and when said locking componentsare at the unlocked position with said second end portions beingrespectively disengaged from said first lock sections of said basemember, said mid base is allowed to rotate to a position where saidlocking components are operable to engage said second end portionsrespectively with said second lock sections for positioning said midbase relative to said base member and for changing orientation of saidseat member.